explorers

[chiefgebel]

how many of your departments have explorers or junior ffs.

[firecadetak]

I am one of three firefighter cadets for the Auke Bay/Lynn Canal Fire District in Juneau, Alaska

[firemedic01]

We have JR FF's now. Just last month we decided we would not accept any applications from anyone under 18 anymore. we decided it was for the best intrest of the dept since our insurance did not approve of it. The JR's in now are grandfathered in.

[HOTDOG]

Our dept. has junior ff's. We have had them for several years and, in fact, many of our senior members were juniors at one point. We feel it is important, with the problems we have getting volunteers, to introduce juniors to the fire service at an early age, get them familiar with equipment and tactics so they can be better prepared when they turn 18. Our juniors do not ride apparatus for obvious reasons, but if they can get to the scene of a fire, we have several hands to assist in changing bottles and packing hose when the fun is over. They are a big help in many ways.

Begin with the end in mind.

[dvfd48r6]

Right now we have 1 active explorer. I am the advisor and a former explorer. We do not have a high school in our small town. If you have any idea's on how to attract kids it would be great. Keep in mind we are volunteer with a small call volume (approx 120 a year)

[Chief Dumas]

I am currently the Fire Chief for a Detroit Area Council Boy Scout Camp that has it's own truck (Engine 5) and a Venture Crew of 19 Youth that serve and protect over 1400+ acres of mostly wooded land during the Sumer Camping Season and also attend different events throughout the year with Engine 5...


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Chief Timothy J. Dumas
Eagle Scout
Station 1, Engine 5
Cole Canoe Base
Detroit Area Council
Boy Scouts of America

[LMfire]

The Exploring program or JR. FF's is a great program. I was an Explorer for 4 years before I was able to be hired on my fire department. I started in the town that borders ours, then a year later I started an Explorer post in my home town on our fire dept. I learned both sides of the program from being an explorer and running two programs. I have also seen the positive and negative sides. Trust me there are a lot more positives than negatives. THis program can turn kids lifes around I have seen it happen. If anyone would like more information or tips feel free to contact me. I would be more than happy to help. [email protected]

[fireeater650]

We have an explorer post. I am one the advisors. We have about 10 guys and one girl, and she does a better job than most of the guys.

[FireFighter2817]

I am a junior at our department. Most of the departments in the county have junior programs. You must be 15, can ride the apparatus, and at age 16, can get EMT-B certification. You may not enter a burning structure and are under the superivision of the OIC. I think it's a great program. If I were not allowed to ride the engines though, I am not sure I would have joined. It's fun to hang around the department, but I joined to help people and learn, and you don't learn on the sidelines. For anyone considering a junior program, I would recommend letting them ride the apparatus. We are very mature and act accordingly on scene!